There are an infinite number of ways to document your bump — and thank goodness, because when you’re busy and sleep-deprived after baby arrives, you’ll want to have a nice reminder of what an exciting and hope-filled time your pregnancy was. The best part about expecting for nine whole months is that you have plenty of time to take as many pictures as you want — and as many different kinds as you want. You can be creative, funny, emotional and artsy, all with the same bump.

The Animation

Though this video inspiration is technically a time lapse, it has an animation vibe, especially because of the background drawing. If you (understandably) don’t want to compare yourself to a car or tire, try turning your bump into a balloon or beach ball that you “inflate” in a series of photos over nine months instead.

The Time Lapse

This video went viral earlier this year because it captured the authenticity of preparing for a first baby. If you want to go public with yours, that’s up to you – but you can also just take a picture every day and create a slideshow for yours and your partner’s private enjoyment.

The Photo Series

Dressing in practically the same outfit with the same hairstyle for every picture in a photo series allows your bump to really be the focus. This professional photographer even went a step further by covering her face. For special emphasis, replace your bump with baby for your last shot!

The Pop Culture Reference

If you value humor over sentimentality, then this is the shot for you! This Miley Cyrus reference will make any millennial laugh, but even now that “Wrecking Ball” is no longer in the spotlight, you can try painting another cultural reference with something circular at the center, like Ariana Grande licking a doughnut or a minion from Despicable Me.

The Before-And-After

The condensed version of the photo series, this technique emphasizes the process of labor and giving birth rather than pregnancy overall. To make this one as successful as possible, capture your bump when it’s at its biggest!

The Pokeball

Just like with Pokeballs (you know, the ball where Pokemon lives...), you don’t know exactly who’s inside your bump. All you know is that you love her very much. You gotta catch all the magic and mystery by painting a Pokeball complete with question marks pulled right out of the video game. And remember, for all belly-painting, use a water-based, non-toxic paint, like face paint.

The Mirror Image

This works best for a couple with two pregnant bellies (not necessarily at the same time), but it could probably be done with a mom and dad, too. Include your tot playing in the sand at your feet for extra cuteness!

The Henna Tattoo

Your bump is already beautiful, but you can turn it into a work of art by adding a natural henna tattoo that emphasizes the shape of your unique belly and baby. Use only brown henna made from plants with no added chemicals. Don’t use black henna. When painting your bump, integrate your popped belly button into the design for even more creativity points!

The Sexy Pose

You might not feel sexy or pretty all the time during your pregnancy, and that’s okay. But on those days when you’re feeling extra empowered and curvy, channel your inner Demi Moore and work the camera for a unique bump shot.

The "Loading"

Continuing in the theme of accessorizing your belly, this mom’s cute GIF shows her belly is loading a baby – just like yours is. Taking each individual shot to show the progress of the tummy probably took quite a while, but look how happy she is when “the loading” is done! Totally worth it.

The Magic Spin

This clever mama took the “Now you see it, now you don’t” approach, except in reverse. Any pregnant mama will say that pregnancies are rarely as simple as this clip would suggest – but it’s still an adorable way to document it.

The Plaster Cast

Try making a plaster cast of your baby bump at its biggest to have a memory of your pregnancy that you can hold in your hand. It can be time-consuming, but once baby arrives, the shots of her nestled inside the cast will make a great birth announcement.

The Close-Up

What’s at the center of every healthy pregnancy? The growing bump, of course. A simple angle like this one captures the closeness between you and your bump and how you’ve worked to nurture it the past 9 months. This no-muss-no-fuss shot is sure to turn heads.

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